– Mohan Krishna Shrestha
Former Ambassador of Nepal to France (2010-1014)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Indrajatra is one of the major festivals being celebrated in Kathmandu valley in early September. Kathmanduites celebrate this street festival with gusto and fanfare.
On this day, living Goddess Kumari, believed to be a reincarnation of Goddess Bhagwati, is being carried by devotees in a chariot along with chariots of Bhairab and Ganesh. That day in Kathmandu Durbar Square area, thousands of people throng to witness this exciting and popular festival.
This Indrajatra day also has a deep significance in Nepal’s history. On that fateful day in 1769 A.D, while people were celebrating this tumultuous festival, they never imagined that an incident of unimaginable proportion was destined to happen. The Gurkha King, Prithvi Narayan Shah’s military force invaded Kathmandu from seven alleys. Such a blitzkrieg took the King and people quite perplexed. They were in ecstatic mood and totally defenseless. King Jaya Prakash Malla, ruler of Kathmandu, finding no way, fled and anavar australia sought refuge in the nearby Taleju temple, later on, fled to Bhaktapur.
People of Kathmandu easily surrendered and accepted King Prithvi as their new King. In this way, without any opposition from anyone, King Prithvi very easily captured Kathmandu and secured the Throne. He later conquered Patan and Bhaktapur also, which were two other important principalities within the Kathmandu valley. Nepal, which was divided into 22/24 principalities was unified and a new country was born.
King Prithvi’s valiant and far-sighted military actions, in fact, was instrumental to make new and unified Nepal.
King Prithvi, securing the throne of unified Nepal, went to receive the blessings of Living Goddess Kumari, showing his obeisance to the cultural values and legacy of the local people. Unification process was thus accomplished in a consummate way.
To understand clearly about different stages of the evolution of Nepal’s foreign policy and diplomacy, I have classified this process into following phases:
First Phase:
King Prithvi was a visionary leader of a strategic mindset. Soon after unifying the country, he noted that Nepal is like a ‘Yam between the two Boulders’, meaning the country is soft and weak in comparison to the mighty neighbours in the North and South. He, therefore, cautioned the subjects to maintain cordial relations with both neighbours and never to antagonize them for any reason. This theory holds authenticity even today and carries important admonition to the Nepali people. His another famous dictum was that bribery is a great sin. It, therefore, should be punishable by law to both briber and receiver.
He died at the age of 52 years without fulfilling his dream of making a strong Nepal.
King Prithvi was a military strategist and he devoted his life for the unification process of the country. He held anti-British conviction with foresight that the British harbored colonial ambitions during those days. He, therefore, invited French military advisers to train his military personnel and also produce muskets usable for the military.
Second phase:
In the history of Nepal, another phase of strong leadership came with the rise of Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. He served the country from1806 to 1837 A.D. He also favored French over British. French military advisers were invited to Nepal during his rule and trained military personnel. Prime Minister was said to be cruel and autocratic leader. He, therefore, faced many enemies. Ultimately his end came once he was charged for masterminding to kill a prince. He was imprisoned and given a very inhuman treatment as per historical facts. He committed suicide in jail after hearing the rumour that his wife was forced to parade nude in the city.
Third Phase:
Another important phase in Nepal’s diplomatic history came with the emergence of Jung Bahadur Rana as Prime Minister. During those days, Gagan Singh Thapa was a strong military person and was a close associate of the queen. He was assassinated by an unidentified assassin one day. Queen Rajendra Laxmi was furious and she commanded Jung Bahadur to find out the culprit. Seizing the opportunity to fulfill his ambition, Jung Bahadur ordered all top civilian and military personnel to assemble at Kot Palace near Hanumandhoka Durbar Square. It was on 14 September 1846 that the meeting was held in a very tense atmosphere and soon after, killings started. Jung Bahadur, his brothers and cohorts started massacring their enemies one by one. Blood stream flowed and it was presumed dozens of top civil, miliary and palace guards were murdered ruthlessly. Jung Bahadur easily controlled the situation. Subsequently, he was appointed as Prime Minister.
Soon after seizing power, Jung Bahadur made a rule to pass on the post of Prime Minister to his brothers on seniority basis. However, this system did not last long. Bir Shumsher, his nephew and son of his youngest brother Dhir Shumsher and his other brothers assassinated their uncle Prime Minister Ranoddhip Singh and seized the power. Bir Shumsher was sworn in as new Prime Minister.
Since then, the historical course of the country changed dramatically. Enmity between the descendants of Jung Bahadur and sons from Dhir Shumsher ensued for long.
Jung Bahadur was a ruthless leader with ambition. He was astute from the military and diplomatic point of view also. He travelled to Britain in 1850 A.
D. and also visited France from 15August to 10 October 1850 on his way back to Nepal. He pursued a policy of appeasement with the British rulers because he knew that in those days, Britain was the most powerful country both from military and economic points of view. This pro-British policy continued for almost 104 years until autocratic Rana rule came to an end in 1950.
Nepal and Britain fought a war between 1814 and 1816 A.D. and finally signed the Treaty of Sugauli. This treaty deprived Nepal of few districts in the southern terai region accounting to one fifth of its territory. During the rule of Jung Bahadur, a sepoy mutiny occurred in 1857 A.D. in Lucknow, India. Nepal sent military personnels to help British rulers under the leadership of Jung Bahadur himself. Nepali military forces were instrumental to quell the mutiny and establish peace. The British Government was pleased with this cooperation and wanted to reward Nepal. Jung Bahadur demanded the return of those lost districts of Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Demand was fulfilled and those territories were, subsequently, returned to Nepal. In this way, he was successful to retrieve our lost territories.
Historical facts indicate that when Jug Bahadur reached British seaport for a visit to the country, custom officials demanded to open the luggage of his entourage. Jung Bahadur argued that he is the Prime Minister of a sovereign country, and such actions are unacceptable. He even threatened to return without officiating the visit. In those days, bargaining for gun salutes were also demanded on protocol basis showing the integrity of a sovereign country. Jung Bahadur also died early.
For the next 104 years from 1846 to 1950, successive Rana Prime Ministers ruled the country in an autocratic manner, making sovereign monarchs’ titular and powerless Heads of State. During this long period, Nepal’s foreign policy basically remained pro-British. Nepal did not have any sort of relations with other countries except the establishment of diplomatic relations with USA and India in 1947 and with France in 1949. During this period, Nepal and India signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1950. Some of its clauses of the Treaty have attracted attention in Nepal for their amendments.
The popular revolution of 1951 ended the Rana Rule and ushered in an era of democracy with the joint efforts of King Tribhuvan and the political leaders.
Fourth Phase:
From 1951 to 1960, Nepal pursued an active and timely foreign policy. First among all actions, Nepal was admitted to the United Nations as a member on 14 December 1955 and subsequently, joined other UN specialized agencies like, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, ILO, WHO and many others. These specialized agencies have been providing technical and financial assistance to developing countries in the fields of education, health, labor, women and children. Further, Nepal also joined Bretton Woods institutions like World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Finance Corporation. Nepal also became a member of Asian Development Bank based in Manila. By now, Nepal has also become a member of the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank based in Beijing.
During late 1950s and 1960s, many countries, specially, in Asia and African continents, were under the yoke of colonialism. After the establishment of the United Nations, a process of decolonization began and several countries around the globe became free from colonial grips. Nepal knew the value of remaining free from colonialism. Nepal has had a proud history of independent state even during colonial heydays.
In 1955, Afro-Asian Conference was held in Bandung of Indonesia. It was attended by many Asian African countries. Nepal also sent a high-level delegation to the conference. It was a precursor to the establishment of Non-Aligned Movement. NAM was, thus born, under the leadership of then leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, President Soekarno of Indonesia, and Joseph Broz Tito of Yugoslavia. Nepal’s delegation was led by Maj.Gen. Sobhag Jung Thapa and other delegates were Prof. Ram Prasad Manandhar, Prof. Yadu Nath Khanal, Prof. Naresh Man Singh and Col. Padma Bahadur Khatri.
NAM successfully attracted countries which did not join either North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or Warsaw Pact Countries. At present, there are 120 member countries in NAM and its triennial summits are being held smoothly.
Fifth Phase:
The First Summit of NAM was held in Belgrade, Yugoslav capital in 1961. It was attended by King Mahendra as the leader of the Nepali delegation. Since then, NAM summits, held every three years, have been attended at the level of either the Head of the State or Head of the Government. It shows how much importance Nepal attaches to this movement. Among many other pious objectives, enhancing South-South cooperation is of special attraction and importance to many developing countries, including Nepal.
In 1961, Nepal achieved a milestone in international diplomacy. It was the appointment of Nepal’s Permanent Representive to the United Nations. Dag Hammersorld of Sweden was elected as the Second Secretary-General of the United Nations. But his life came to an end, rather too early, in the tragic plane crash in the Katanga region of Congo when he was flying with his entourage in a UN mission. The incident brought a big uproar at the international level. A commission for the investigation of the incident was constituted by the UN Secretary General. Mr. Rishikesh Shah, our Permanent Representative and Ambassador was appointed as its Coordinator. It was a huge and important task entrusted to Nepal due to her impartial and neutral character. It was barely six years after Nepal was admitted to the UN system and this responsibility came on her shoulder.
Since joining the UN organization, Nepal had remained effortful to contribute in all possible ways to further the objectives and principles of the UN.
The world was fraught with many hot-spots with intra and inter-state wars. Peace and stability were elusive in many parts of the world. UN started sending peacekeeping forces to such trouble spots to maintain peace and security. Nepal also started sending peacekeepers under UN to troubled countries since 1958. Thousands of Nepalese military and police personnel have rendered their unbiased and honest services.
Dozens of our peace-keeping personnel have lost their precious lives while rendering services. At present also, Nepalese peace-keepers are serving in many conflict-prone countries like Burundi, Lebanon, Congo, South Sudan, Yemen and many others.
During 1961 to 1990 period, Nepal was ruled by party-less Panchayat system. But, Nepal’s foreign policy was intact and committed to the Non-Aligned principles.
Nepal never wavered in her commitments to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, peaceful solution of the problems, non-use of territory by foreign forces and enhancement of mutual cooperation.
In February 1975, one very significant and notable step was taken by Nepal. At the dinner hosted in honor of international guests on the eve of King Birendra’s coronation, Nepal proposed to be declared a Zone of Peace (ZoP). It was guided by Nepal’s earnest desire to remain peaceful and stable. ZOP was supported by a total of 116 countries. But our big southern neighbor never supported it. With the restoration of the multi-party system of government in 1990, ZOP proposal has been lost in the backyard. In a trouble-infested world, such ZOP concept would surely contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability. Peace, progress and stability are required everywhere in the world for humans to live decently.
Nepal also played an effective and active role in the Convention on the Law of the Sea which was signed in Montego Bay of Jamaica in 1982. Although a landlocked country, Nepal voiced her opinions in this treaty, as loudly as possible, since our foreign trade is mostly conducted through seas.
Nepal was elected as a Non-Permanent member of the Security Council twice in 1967-1968 and 1988-1989.
Sixth Phase:
In 1990, with the restoration of multi-party system of Government, Nepal continued to pursue non-aligned foreign policy. On diplomatic front, Nepal began establishing diplomatic relations with many countries of Asian, African, European and Latin American continents. Diplomatic relations provide common platform for exchanging cooperation in the international fora where common international issues are dealt with.
By now, there are 193 member countries in the UN organization where even micro- states like Vatican, Monaco, as well as, large states like Russian Federation, Canada, USA and China also hold the same status and voting rights. UN is a platform where, every nation, irrespective of its size and strength can air her voice to be heard. A country can pursue foreign policy and diplomacy together.
Good diplomats run effective foreign policies. Say of a learned leader weigh much in national politics and diplomacy.
In 1996, Government incorporated a new and relevant element in its foreign policy for more effective realization of foreign policy goals. Economic diplomacy was made an integral part of the foreign policy. It carried six main objectives to begin with, i.e. tourism promotion, export promotion, foreign direct investment, water resources development, foreign employment opportunities and increment in foreign aid. All these objectives are an integral and most important part of the national economy.
Various programs and projects are being implemented for their promotion on a continued basis, carrying both the domestic front and abroad.
Seventh Phase:
On 15 May 2008, Nepal ushered in a completely new political system – a Federal Democratic Republic. This ended the 239 years’ monarchial system. A new constitution was promulgated on 20 September 2015. Nepal has enshrined her foreign policy based on Non Alignment and commitment to the UN Charter and international laws in all succeeding effects of constitution-writing.
Nepal’s foreign policy objectives:
Nepal is pursuing a foreign policy to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and promoting economic wellbeing and prosperity. It is also aimed at contributing to global peace, harmony and security.
Nepal’s foreign policy is guided by the following basic principles:
1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;
2. Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs;
3. Respect for mutual equality;
4. Non-aggression and the peaceful settlement of disputes;
5. Cooperation for mutual benefit;
6. Abiding faith in the Charter of the United Nations;
7. Value of world peace.
Nepal fully adheres to the principles of Non-Aligned Movement, Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law. Nepal is actively pursuing an independent foreign policy keeping in mind these sound principles.
Countries, irrespective of their sizes, find the United Nations as a true platform where they can air their state policies on international issues. This author has seen representatives from tiny Seychelles island nation (458 sq. km.) and Bahrain, a pearl shaped tiny island nation in the middle-east (707sq.km.) speaking volubly at UNGA.
UN’s principles are based on sovereign equality. It is, therefore, an equal platform for all countries.
One issue which always pinpricks me is that over 67 years of our membership in the UN, we have not availed an opportunity to be elected as the President of UNGA.
Whereas, Bangladesh, born just in 1971 and Maldives, a country of 1142 tiny islands, have presided over the UNGA, as elected President. This is a pertinent issue which Nepal must take seriously and in the coming days.
A piece of happy news is that, recently, our Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Amrit Bahadur Rai was entrusted with the task of conducting UNGA sessions by its President. He also chaired the Second Committee on Economic and Finance issues making a double whammy.
Barely new year 2022 had dawned, the world saw an unprecedented scenario on 24 February 2022, Ukraine being invaded by mighty Russian Federation on geo- political grounds. Despite ten months of horrendous war, there is no sign of its ending.
While thousands of precious lives have been lost and material damage is almost unaccountable, a more suffocating point is that there has not been any serious effort from world leaders to end the war. Rather, countries are being divided for and against the war. What a travesty in this civilized world of the 21st century. Scenes of incessant bombing and use of mammoth weapons are horrible.
Nepal has been following an independent foreign policy since long. One good step is continuous establishment of diplomatic relationships. Nepal has established diplomatic relations with 177 countries out of 193 member countries of the UN. We have also established a total of 39 diplomatic missions so far. In the changing context in the international scenario, we need a proactive foreign policy which is in tune with changing times.
Problems of yester-year are being replaced by newer problems. In today’s world, even the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity are being trampled. Cyber-crimes are increasing. Climate change is posing a serious threat even to the humanity’s survival. Gulf between the rich and poor nations are widening and prosperity looks like an island in the ocean of poverty. Science and technology has achieved much progress. At the same time, formidable vulnerabilities and threats have emerged which have bearings on the survival of mankind.
Where We Are Now:
We are landlocked and least developed but not poor and destitute. In fact, from a geographical point of view, we are number 94, from population point of view we are 49th, and from Gross Domestic Product point of view we are 103 as of now. We have enough natural and human resources. Of course, we should have been much more developed and richer by now. But reverse is the truth. There is too many self-centered politics and politicization in the country. But we can hope that with the changing times, more powerful and visionary leaders will emerge to lead our beloved country to progress and prosperity. We need to promote freedom, human rights, transparency, accountability, efficient administration and, most importantly, curb corruption until it comes to an end.
What We Need to Do From Now On:
1. In Diplomatic Field:
For small and developing countries, active and efficient diplomacy is a powerful medium to promote her national interests. It is, therefore, inevitable that Nepal must pursue an active professionalized and forward looking diplomacy. Capable and committed persons must be appointed as ambassadors. And such appointees must work for the promotion of the country’s varied interests. The government must ensure adequate financial and human resources to the Embassies so that they are facilitated for formulation and implementation of good policies to promote our interests in the countries they are appointed to. Evaluation on the performance of our Ambassadors is a must. Nepal cannot afford to waste time and financial resources on inactive diplomacy. The Foreign Ministry must guide our diplomatic missions properly in carrying out their avowed tasks. Our diplomats must be given a chance to prove their capabilities and dedication to work.
2. Trade and Industrial Field:
In foreign trade area, Nepal is suffering a huge trade deficit each year. We have opted for an import-based economy for raising revenues. Export led industrial development would have been good for the overall benefit of the country. Goods which can be produced in the country should not be imported. Establishment of industries means use of local raw materials, generation of employment opportunities and accrual of taxes.
But we have been importing almost all goods, from cereals to industrial raw materials to manufactured goods. The contribution of industrial sector to gross domestic product is very low i.e., about 5 percent. Experts argue that until and unless such percentage reaches 18 percent, industrial sector cannot be construed to have contributed well.
Import substitution is the need of the day. In recent years, both exports and imports have been increasing. But export-import ratio is rather very alarming, at 1:9. Imports dwarf exports very badly. It is, therefore, very much necessary that by intensifying industrial development, we must produce more goods for exports to the international markets. Countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore made great advances by successful export promotion strategies.
Nexus between the government and private sector must be built on strong trust and confidence. Policies are made by the Government the private sector plays an important role to carry out these policies. For enhancing trade and industrial sector, the capability of the private sector must be enhanced.
3. Promotion of Soft Powers:
Nepal has many facets of soft powers which are well known in the world. Besides, adventure, natural, cultural and spiritual soft powers, a new area of medical soft power has also come to fore. Nepal also holds promising ground in MICE tourism. Our world renowned soft power attractions include Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world and other highest peaks. Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, Living Goddess Kumari, valiance of Gorkhali soldiers, other natural beauties, mountains, rivers and rivulets, lakes, cusine and costumes, temples and palaces, religious spots, artistic, religious and cultural heritages, etc. are our abiding soft powers. Art, sculpture, music are also great assets and soft powers which attract attention from the world. Our multi- ethnicity, multi-culturalism and multi-linguistic fabric of society is yet another great soft power. The presence of 125 ethnic communities and 123 linguistic backgrounds are yet another attraction. Nepalese are considered, generally, warm and hospitable people. It has, thus created a huge reservoir of goodwill and affection among many people across the world. Nepal is a treasure house of tangible and intangible soft powers. We need to promote all available soft power with appropriate medium and promotional tactics.
4. Peacekeeping Forces:
Contribution of UN Peace keeping forces is also one important soft power of Nepal. After Nepal joined the United Nations in 1955, she began to send peacekeepers to different countries under the United Nations. Nepal’s peacekeepers drawn from Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police had rendered their valuable services in almost 15 different peace keeping missions around the world. A total of 142,585 peace keepers have so far rendered their valuable services under UN PKOs. Among this figure 1,982 are women peace keepers. 71 Nepalese peace-keepers have sacrificed their invaluable life for the sake of world peace and stability. Nepalese peace keepers have, so far, worked in 44 missions.
At present, there are 6,016 peacekeeping personnel from Nepal in 12 peacekeeping missions. A total of 429 women are working as peacekeepers from Nepal. In view of the number of peacekeepers, Nepal had the opportunity to be ranked number 2 contributor. It is expected that this might go up in view of the appreciation of Nepal for its contribution UN’s peacekeeping operations are scattered in wide areas and countries like Burundi, Congo DPR, Code d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Lebanon, Liberia, and Western Sahara.
Nepalese peace-keepers have got a good appreciation for their impartial and dedicated services.
5. Changes in the Thinking and Attitudes:
We Nepalese must understand the value of time. Now, it is very necessary that we bring changes in our attitudes and manner of our work.
We must abandon inferiority complex and advance with positive thinking and attitude. We must uphold peace, shared prosperity and reconciliation in society and promote mutual understanding and cooperation. We must consider our beloved motherland as a common property and everyone must contribute to our national development. If politics and diplomacy are intact and progressive, these will, definitely, help our country to advance assertively in the progressive path.
6. Refinement in Society:
Negative thinking and attitude prevalent in society must be refined as soon as possible. Such negativism takes society and the country down to a ruinous path. There are many news, everyday, about the rape, murder, theft, robbery and other sins which show that there exist huge social problems in our country. Spiritual thinking and education can refine such scenario. Negative thoughts and attitudes can be deleted from the human mind through spiritual ways. It will also make a human being understand the value of one-time life. It will exhort people to engage in positive and useful work. One can be guided to become a true citizen who takes care of his family, society and works to contribute to the national development.
# Text courtesy: Association of Former Career Ambassadors of Nepal (AFCAN) Annual Journal Vol. 3,2023.
Thanks the entire editorial team of AFCAN and the distinguished author Ambassador M. K. Shrestha: Ed. Upadhyaya. N. P.